Month: July 2016

Did you know that microorganisms have been with us the moment we breathe life into this world? In a normal spontaneous delivery scenario, a newborn acquires bacteria from the mother when the baby passes through the birth canal. These microorganisms I am pertaining to are specifically termed as probiotics. Derived from the Greek words “pro” and “biotic” meaning “promoting life”, probiotics are the protagonists that fight against the villains (bad bacteria) in our body. They are the “good”, “helpful”, and “friendly” bacteria that keep your gut in its healthy state.

How come they are called good bacteria? Probiotics are called as such for a number of reasons:

Antibiotics can kill the bad microorganisms that cause maladies and harm to our body. They don’t only destroy the bad ones; the good bacteria are also included. When you lose the good bacteria, probiotics can restore the natural balance and maintain the gut barrier function.

They destroy disease-causing microorganisms and help produce vitamins.

They may help women lose weight faster. Browse The Beta Switch for the ideal weight loss program for women.

Probiotics may help control high blood pressure by lowering the low-density lipoprotein or the bad cholesterol in the body. Also, probiotics has a role in the regulation of the hormone system which regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.

They directly inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria that produces toxic substances resulting to illness. If your digestive tract is healthy and has timely and proper filtering and elimination of toxins, chemicals and other damage-causing waste products is carried out by the body.

Probiotics also has a role in helping the endocrine system. The endocrine system consists of glands responsible for the regulation and production of hormones, including estrogen and testosterone. This is significant especially for men who want to keep their partners satisfied in bed. However, because of the existence of endocrine disruptors, the hormones in the body become confused. Probiotics may expedite the removal of these disruptors via excretion.

In relation to the hormone function, probiotics also show vital role in maintaining your cortisol levels. Too much of the stress hormone may cause weight gain, type II diabetes mellitus, and the dreaded erectile dysfunction among men. For the fitness buff, high cortisol levels are also associated with excessive breakdown of protein, meaning increased muscle breakdown.

There really are many bacteria lingering in our bodies. But if they’re in the right place, they are considered as normal flora. Once these bacteria enter the wrong place, they become opportunistic and can cause health problems. This is where our lead character kicks in – the probiotics. Sources of probiotics are ubiquitous. You may find them in a variety of foods, beverages, and dietary supplements labeled with “live and active cultures”. Seek your doctor’s advice regarding the appropriate probiotics for your case. Provide your health care provider the whole picture on how you manage your health for a more coordinated and safe care.

Every man’s wish is not only to marry the right woman, but also to make her girl happy and to make himself the right man in the eyes of his beloved. And an important factor in deepening your love and showing how passionate you are is by improving your sex life. Most men lose hope and feel less of a man when they sense they can’t give their best and when they can’t make their girl happy in between the sheets. Don’t judge yourself too harshly, guys. Emasculating it may sound, but if you are having trouble achieving or maintaining an erection, it’s best to talk to your doctor.

We need to understand that erectile dysfunction (ED) is just a symptom of an underlying condition and not a disorder itself. Proper diagnosis of the cause can treat your ED. While most doctors would prescribe you pharmaceutical erectile dysfunction supplements, why not start with a lifestyle modification program, like The Man Diet, before jumping into the male enhancement products? Better yet, why not go for an all-natural supplement ditching a host of side effects that little blue pill have? Below are the 5 natural, herb-based erectile dysfunction cures to regain your masculinity and loss of dignity:

1. Ginseng

Popularly known as the “natural Viagra”, the red ginseng from the Panax species contains active substances called ginsenosides and panaxosides. The red ginseng root undergoes steaming and drying and used to make natural medicine. It acts by raising the blood nitric oxide levels thereby widening the blood vessels and improving blood circulation. It is also coined as an “adaptogen” since its effects are also targeted in improving general well-being making you adapt to stressful situations naturally. The ginseng root is not as potent as the synthetic Viagra but it’s much cheaper and is proven to improve the quality of erection rigidity, maintenance, and penetration efficacy. Its most common side effect is insomnia or trouble sleeping. For ED, 1400 to 2700mg of Panax ginseng is taken in 2-3 divided doses per day for 12 weeks is recommended. A cream preparation is also used for premature ejaculation which is applied to the glans penis an hour before and washed off just before the actual intercourse.

2. L-arginine

Mostly found in red meat, poultry, fish and dairy products, L-arginine is popularly used as a pre-workout supplement aiming for an increased “pump” of your muscles and increased blood flow. It helps make nitric oxide which stimulates the blood vessels to open wider for a successful and more sustainable erection for men. Be wary in taking L-arginine as it interacts with the commercially prepared Viagra. Both Viagra and L-arginine lower blood pressure. Taking these two together will cause a sudden drop in your blood pressure which then results in side effects like dizziness, nausea, cramps, and diarrhea. You may take 5 grams of L-arginine by mouth per day to improve your sexual function. Lower doses of L-arginine might not be effective.

3. Propionyl-L-carnitine

Propionyl-L-carnitine is an amino acid produced naturally by the human body. It helps the body yield energy and is important for heart function, muscle movement, and other bodily processes. For treating symptoms of “male menopause” or insufficient testosterone levels due to aging, 2 grams of acetyl-L-carnitine in addition to 2 grams of propionyl-L-carnitine are used. For erectile dysfunction, taking a daily dose of 2 grams propionyl-L-carnitine used in combination with twice a week dose of 50 mg of Viagra, is better than taking Viagra alone. If your sexual performance problem is due to diabetes or poor circulation, propionyl-L-carnitine is your best choice along with other prescription medications. Using this, however, may cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, body malaise, and chest pain.

4. Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium)

As its name implies, the horny goat weed is an ancient Chinese remedy that works like Viagra. It contains an active ingredient called icariin that is used to improve sexual performance. It also mimics testosterone at the same time increasing nitric oxide output and as a PDE-inhibitor which is the same mechanism of action as sildenafil or Viagra. Icariin is helpful in increasing nerve growth and improving circulation around your pelvic region and halts the release of the stress-hormone, cortisol. From here we can conclude that if your ED is caused by performance anxiety, icariin’s stress-reducing capacity might be very useful for you.

5. Yohimbe

Yohimbe is an African evergreen tree with which its bark contains a chemical called yohimbine. It holds a long folk reputation as a male aphrodisiac and a potency enhancer. It is a potent alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist and inhibits a neural feedback mechanism which controls the release of nitric oxide as your body is sexually stimulated. More nitric oxide means a harder erection. Yohimbine hydrochloride was known to be one of the only drugs available for the treatment of erectile dysfunction before sildenafil was introduced in the market.

No matter what supplement you take, whether it’s natural or synthetic, never feel ashamed to talk to your doctor about erectile dysfunction. Think of it as a way to diagnose or treat other health problems that is the root cause of your ED. Your health in general is as important as treating your ED. Don’t get easily lured by claims of sexual enhancers to be “natural” and “safe”. Herbal remedies may also cause side effects and dangerous interactions when taken with other medications. A professional advice is always the best choice.